Israel's High Court hears challenges to judicial selection reform

Israel’s High Court of Justice opened hearings, with all 11 Supreme Court justices present, on petitions seeking to strike down a March 2025 amendment to the Basic Law: The Judiciary. The amendment changes the Judicial Selection Committee by removing Israel Bar Association representatives and adding two public lawyer representatives—one appointed by the governing coalition and one by the opposition—thereby increasing political influence over the appointment of judges at all levels.

Petitioners, including civil‑rights groups, the Bar Association, and opposition MKs, argue the reform will politicise judicial appointments and undermine judicial independence. They warn that future judges may need to “find favor in the eyes of politicians” to advance. The government contends elected officials have a legitimate right to greater involvement and that the previous system gave judges excessive sway.

During the hearing, justices questioned the rationale for removing the Bar Association, with Justice Ofer Grosskopf asking, “Let’s say there was corruption in the Bar Association — why does that lead to the conclusion that it should be removed from the committee?” The session was briefly disrupted when MK Tali Gotliv repeatedly interrupted Supreme Court President Yitzhak Amit, who ordered her removal.

The case is being heard by an expanded panel reserved for issues of exceptional constitutional importance, and its outcome could reshape the balance of power between Israel’s elected government and its judiciary.